News Nuggets

League City to fill council vacancies
The City of League City will conduct a special election in March 19 to fill two vacancies on the City Council — the seats formerly held by Councilmember Tommy Cones and Mayor Tim Paulissen. A runoff will be held April 23 if necessary.

Cones submitted his resignation Nov. 24, which according to the City’s charter, creates a vacancy on the City Council beginning Dec. 7. Paulissen’s resignation was automatically triggered under state law and City charter provisions when he announced his candidacy for a County Commissioner seat.

Cones left to become assistant fire chief and fire marshal for League City. Paulissen will serve as mayor until his replacement is chosen in the special election, between Pat Hallisey and Jean Marie Franz. Hank Dugie will fill Cones’ seat.

Vacancies occurring on the City Council with an unexpired term of more than 12 months must be filled by a Special Election. Both, Paulissen and Cones have unexpired terms exceeding 12 months.

TxDOT to start 146 acquisitions
The State Highway 146 Expansion Project is progressing with right-of-way acquisitions scheduled to begin soon. Last month, officials with the Texas Department of Transportation informed the City of Seabrook that property appraisals and right-of-way acquisitions on properties and businesses that will be impacted by the expansion of the highway would now begin.

Over the next several months, TxDOT will proceed with the following: review property titles, conduct property appraisals, negotiate with property owners, provide business relocation assistance, commence property demolition, and let the construction contract in Summer 2018.

Santa Fe man dies in NASA 1 crash
A Santa Fe man was killed early Sunday, Jan. 24 in a horrific crash in the 2800 block of NASA Parkway near the Nassau Bay Hilton and the Johnson Space Center.

Dustyn Hertenberger, the 25-year-old driver, was killed when he drove a white 2012 Ford F-150 across the center median of the roadway at approximately 2:30 a.m. and struck a palm tree, snapping it in half.

Deputies with Constable Phil Sandlin’s office, who were dispatched to the scene, said the impact was severe and Hertenberger was pronounced dead at the scene. The other two occupants of the vehicle, a 21-year-old woman and a 22-year-old man, sustained non-life threatening injuries and were treated at Clear Lake Regional Medical Center.

Nassau Bay gets new city vehicles
Nassau Bay showed off its new fire engine and new ambulance in ceremonies at the Nassau Bay Fire Station on Surf Court.

The new Fire Engine 82 is a Pierce Enforcer Pumper Truck and will replace a vehicle that had been in service for more than 21 years. The $408,000 vehicle was largely paid for with a $200,000 grant from the Texas A&M Forest Service. Proceeds from the sale of the old engine provided another $50,000. The remaining $158,000 is paid for with City Capital Project Funds.

The new $174,740 ambulance, a Medic 8, will provide new technology and equipment that will allow medics to deliver more efficient and improved patient care. It also was paid for with City Capital Project Funds.

High Speed Rail moving along
Plans are moving forward on the Houston-to-Dallas High Speed Rail project. Texas Central Partners announced that the draft environmental report providing a comprehensive analysis of the Houston-to-Dallas line is on pace for release and review this summer.

Design changes are currently underway and if all goes according with current plans, construction could begin in 2017 and the service would be operational in 2021.

“I have truly enjoyed my time with the City of Nassau Bay. I am thankful for the staff that worked so hard during my tenure as chief. Additionally, I would like to thank the citizens of Nassau Bay, who I have grown to know and love. I leave you with a very capable group of honest and hardworking men and women who will continue to serve and protect the citizens of Nassau Bay,” Cashiola said.

He has been with the Police Department for more than 34 years, working his way up the ranks until he was appointed chief of police in 2009.

Nassau Bay Mayor Mark Denman described Cashiola as “a great peace officer and leader, well known for his quietbut strong demeanor, going back the 30 years I have known him. His relationships with many Nassau Bay citizens run deep, he will be sorely missed.”